From our perspective, the timing of your nourishment is everything. It is not merely a date on your calendar; it is about our life cycle. We request your first feeding in early spring, just as you notice our new green shoots pushing energetically from the soil. This is our signal that our winter dormancy has ended, and our roots are actively seeking nutrients to fuel this initial surge of growth. Providing a balanced, slow-release fertilizer now gives us the foundational strength to develop strong stems and abundant leaf cover, which are the essential factories for producing our prized blooms later.
To achieve our maximum blooming potential, we require a specific blend of nutrients. While we need a range of macro and micronutrients, the ratio is crucial. We thrive on a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio, e.g., 5-10-5). Phosphorus is the element that directly supports the development of our complex and vibrant flower buds. It encourages prolific blooming and strengthens our root systems. While nitrogen (the first number) is important for our green growth, too much will cause us to produce excessive foliage at the expense of your desired flowers. A balanced, but phosphorus-forward, diet is our preference.
Our hunger is consistent throughout our active growing season. After the initial spring feeding, we benefit from a regular, lighter schedule of nourishment. A monthly application of a water-soluble fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, is ideal. This consistent trickle of nutrients supports the immense energy expenditure required to continuously produce and open our blooms. This rhythm should continue through the summer months. However, as the days grow shorter and the light changes in late summer or early autumn, please cease fertilization. This allows us to gradually slow our growth and harden our tissues in preparation for winter dormancy, rather than being stimulated into producing tender new growth that would be vulnerable to frost.
The method of application is as important as the substance itself. Always ensure our soil is moist before you apply any fertilizer granules or liquid feed. Applying fertilizer to our dry roots can cause severe root burn, damaging our ability to uptake water and nutrients—the opposite of your goal. For granular, slow-release formulas, work them gently into the top layer of soil around our base, being careful not to disturb our shallow roots. For liquid feeds, apply the solution directly to the soil, not over our leaves, to avoid foliar burn. A deep watering after feeding helps the nutrients percolate down to our root zone efficiently and safely.
